Yesterday’s post came from Nassim Taleb’s ‘Bed of Procrustes’, a short book of “philosophical and practical aphorisms”.
Aphorisms are poetic, short, and powerful words of wisdom that usually contain a general truth. Their brevity requires the reader to the majority of the work.
Taleb encourages readers to read no more than 4 in a single sitting, and to always take the time to digest them.
Some that I’ve really enjoyed so far:
- The person you’re most afraid to contradict is yourself.
- Most modern conveniences are just deferred punishment.
- An idea starts to get interesting when you get scared of taking it to its logical conclusion
- The three most harmful addictions are heroin, carbohydrates, and a monthly salary.
- If you find any reason why you and someone are friends, you’re not friends.
I’ve found myself reading a few, walking along the beach, coming up with examples, debating them with myself, and figuring out where I agree or disagree with them.
It’s been a different, but fulfilling, kind of reading.